Story of Rare Kenyan Elephant Goes Viral in Europe

Craig, one of the largest Tuskers and among the most researched elephants in Kenya.
Craig, one of the largest Tuskers and among the most researched elephants in Kenya.
Courtesy Clint Ralph

One of the world's most rare elephants found in the Amboseli has gone viral in Europe after its new photos emerged.

The big tusker elephant known as Craig was captured by professional photographer, Clint Ralph, and the images magnified how enormous Craig is.

Craig is known as the gentle giant in Amboseli and is one of the last super tuskers left in the world at 50 years of age. He has big tusks which weigh 50 kilograms each.

Craig, one of the largest Tuskers and among the most researched elephants in Kenya.
Craig, one of the largest Tuskers and among the most researched elephants in Kenya.
Courtesy KWS

According to Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers, Craig is incredibly calm and that explains how Ralph managed to capture him dusting himself off to cool down.

KWS stated that Craig is one of the largest tuskers in Africa and the world and is also among the most researched elephants in Kenya.

The elephant remains highly guarded by KWS as well as Maasai warriors since his tusks are prized possessions that give poachers sleepless nights.

Craig is the cousin to the late big tusker, Tim, who was one of Africa’s last remaining giant 'tusker' elephants.

Tim was known for his long tusks which almost reached the ground, each weighing up to 45 kilograms. Unlike most male elephants who would break away from the predominantly matriarchal herds, he enjoyed the feminine company.

He survived several life-threatening instances. In 2018, he made headlines when he got stuck in a swamp in Amboseli, which forced KWS wardens to launch a mission to pull him out of the murky waters and save him.

In addition, he was known to be intelligent. In one incident, after being speared on his head during a farm raid, he walked to one of the conservationists to help him remove the artillery lodged in his body.

His occasional raids in nearby farms forced the wildlife agency to put a collar on him to monitor his movements. This helped reduce the human-wildlife conflict and keep him safe until the time of his demise in 2020.

An image of Big Tim, Africa's last Bid tusker elephant
An image of Big Tim, one of Kenya's last Bid tusker elephant.
David Yarrow

After his demise, the Ministry of Tourism set to spend Ksh46.5 million on a statue to immortalize Big Tim, who was dubbed a national treasure.

Speaking to the National Assembly Committee on Finance, Tourism Cabinet Secretary, Najib Balala, stated that the funds would be used to erect a monument at the Amboseli National Park to celebrate the giant animal.

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